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Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.

Monday, June 29, 2015

Unexpected Chances by A.M. Willard (Author Interview / Book Review)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Unexpected Chances by Author A.M. Willard!

Author Interview

Welcome to Jersey Girl Book Reviews, A.M.!

Before we get to the interview, can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

This is always the part where I go, what do I say? I’m a Florida girl at heart, but have become a Georgia Peach and just celebrated my 18th wedding anniversary with my best friend. I have a 13 year old son who’s Autistic and has Aspergers. He is my number one fan and the one that has changed the way I view the world. Life is so much better through his eyes, and I love to watch him overcome obstacles. I just proves to me that no matter how big or small things are they are pretty amazing. I’m an avid reader, love to sail and be out on the water and hate winter.

How long have you been a writer?

I first published in April of 2014, but have been writing since I was a child.

Do you have a day job, or is being an author your career?

I just went part-time at the day job so I can focus more on my writing.

What inspired you to become a writer? Describe your journey as a writer.

Oh I had this story about two years ago that I really wanted to get down on paper. So I started it, deleted the whole thing and started again. I joined a few groups on Goodreads and found a writing partner that I call my PIC (Partner in Crime). We started reviewing our work and then one day a new story came. I put down the other one and started One Night which is the first book in The One Night Series. I self-published and had no idea what to do from that point. This last year has been full of lessons, changes, and new opportunities. I just signed a few months ago with Booktrope Publishing and look forward to the next step in my career.

Please give a brief description/storyline about Unexpected Chances.

Tabitha is our main character and she played a small role in the One Night Series. The more I wrote the more she wanted her own story. Tabitha is your sassy red-head full of energy, but that’s the thing she’s not. She’s been hurt in the past and made a pact with her brother Seth to swear off love. Joke falls on her as she never expected to find the one, but what she doesn’t know is Carter Northwood has his own dark secrets. Some say he’s a little slacker type but he has his reasons, as he’s trying to protect her from his wife’s family. Yes, I said wife but things are never the way they seem. You also get to meet Seth her brother, Cory the best friend who’s in love with our sassy Tabitha, and a few others.

What was the inspiration for this story?

That came from the One Night Series, when I say Tabitha is sassy I mean it. She pretty much demanded to have a story or two.

How did it feel to have your first book published?

Unreal. I was so afraid to hit that button, and still after 6 books I freak out and want to hide under a sparkly rock until it’s all over with.

Do you write books for a specific genre?

I tend to stick to Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, and love to add some suspense and spice into the mix.

What genres are your favorite(s)? What are some of your favorite books that you have read and why?

I love it all except for Sci-Fi, and paranormal. Haven’t been able to get into that genre yet. My fav’s and let me say we might be here all day for this list. Megan Fields, A.m. Guilliams, Addison Kline, S. Donahue, Abbi Glines, Colleen Hoover, Molly McAdams, Sylvia Day, and this list will go for another year..

Do you have a special spot/area where you like to do your writing?

I have a desk that is my little writing space and everyone in the house is banned from touching it.

How do you come up with the ideas that become the storyline for your books?

They just pop up, it might be a little thing that festers for a bit until I can figure it all out. Sometimes it could be something that I might have witnessed, then spin it into a love story.

When you write, do you adhere to a strict work schedule, or do you work whenever the inspiration strikes?

It’s whenever, when I am writing I try to make sure I write daily. This could be a few hundred words, to 10,000 words. If I don’t all the information and story rolls around and then I turn grumpy.

What aspects of storytelling do you like the best, and what aspects do you struggle with the most?

This is funny… For anyone who has read the One Night Series they will not believe this…. But the sex scenes are a struggle. I love to create the drama and twist as the story unfolds.

What are your favorite things to do when you are not writing?

Reading, Sailing, and spending time with my husband and son.

What is/was the best piece of writing advice that you have received?

Oh I’ve been given so much that this is hard to nail down. I think the best piece was, that you can’t make everyone happy. If you are happy doing what you are doing, keep doing it. Things will always improve over time.

What is the most gratifying thing you feel or get as a writer?

The messages I get from the fans and readers. I still have a hard time knowing that someone has not only bought my books but read them. It seems that they always come when you need it. I might not have thousands of fans, but the ones I do I cherish them even more.

How do you usually communicate with your readers/fans?

I blog weekly and try to keep up with my social media daily. Email responses always come from me and not my PA… That’s one of my favorite things to do, so I will keep that up.

Is there anything in your book based on real life experiences or are they purely all from your imagination?

That’s a 50/50… You might just have to read them to see if you can figure that one out.. My lips are sealed.

What authors have been your inspiration or influenced you to become a writer?

Colleen Hoover is one of my favorite authors and one day I just hope that I can pull you into one of my stories like she does me.

What is your definition of success as a writer?

I think success is determined on your goals, to me I am successful but it’s because I did hit that publish button. I was able to mark something off my bucket list and do something that other dream of doing. I’m super proud of myself for being brave enough to follow through. I just hope that I can continue to grow and deliver the best books I can to the readers.

Are you currently writing a new book? If yes, would you care to share a bit of it with us?

I just finished that story I started years ago and freaking out as it sits with the editor. Fading Memories is a story about heartache, grief, learning to trust again, and most of all opening your heart. That’s all I can give away right now.

A.M, thank you for visiting Jersey Girl Book Reviews, and for sharing a bit about yourself and your writing career with us!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

Book Description:

Tabitha Michaelson: the fun loving, sassy girl who loves anything that sparkles. What you might not know is, she took an oath years ago with her brother Seth, vowing to lock their hearts and throw away the key. She has spent years keeping up the happy façade and not letting anyone get close.

It's not until a chance meeting that Tabitha meets her match in Carter Northwood. Here's a man whose life has been filled with lies, threats, and tangled webs of disaster. Carter knows that if he takes this chance at true love, the world around him will tumble down like a spiral staircase.

Two hearts meld to form a single beat from the start. A test of trust, infinite love, and a longing for each other's passion.

Book Excerpt:

Leaning back, I watch as her lips move from side to side as if she tastes them. Her head bobbles while she shifts in her seat. She’s caused me to snicker. Lord it’s been forever since a woman has had this sort of effect on me. My chest is moving up and down from the laughter.

I know once she wakes, she’ll be embarrassed by her actions. Just as I think this, her eyes fly open.

They’re as green as emeralds. That’s what I see on this side of the computer screen. I can only imagine how mesmerizing they are in person. She’s startled, off her game now as she realizes I’ve been watching.

My Book Review:

There is just something about a story that has two strong characters with past secrets and enough angst when it comes to love, it just captivates the reader and takes them on an exhilarating roller coaster ride, for me that book is Unexpected Chances.

Author A.M. Willard weaves an amazing fast paced tale with a wonderful mixture of romance and suspense that follows the love story of Tabitha Michaelson and Carter Northwood. The reader can't help but get drawn into their story and empathize with the emotional angst that Tabitha and Carter share. As their unrequited love causes issues of trust, misunderstandings, and hurtles to clear; past secrets come to the surface with enough intriguing twists and turns that will provide a frenzy of suspense, the reader will experience a full gamut of emotions that will leave them spent, but alas ... Tabitha and Carter's story has a cliff hanger ending that will leave the reader wanting more!

Unexpected Chances is the first book in The Chances Series. Tabitha and Carter's story continues in Unexpected Changes, the second book in the series.

RATING: 5 STARS

About The Author

Author A.M. Willard is a true believer of soul mates, and happy ever after’s. She enjoys reading, sailing, and of course writing contemporary romance with some saucy scenes. Releasing her first novella of the One Night Series on April 12, 2014 has sent her on a new journey in life. A.M.’s passion for writing started at a young age, but with the love and support from her husband of eighteen years pushed her to follow her dreams. Once she hit that first publish button, she hasn’t looked back.

Publications available from A.M. Willard include the Chances Series, Love on the Screen, and everyone’s favorite the One Night Series. She’s also had an article published in the Writer’s Monthly Review Magazine.

A.M. Willard was born and raised in the Panhandle of Florida, but resides in Savannah Ga with her husband, son, two cats, one rotten dog, and her six chickens. Yes, we said chickens…

About Me

Hi, my name is Kathleen! I am a Jersey Girl born and bred with the sand and surf between my toes! I am a freelance proof reader / copy editor. I love to read books and share my passion with other readers. I have 2 book review blog sites: Jersey Girl Book Reviews that features all genres except for erotica, which are located at Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews, and a book promotions blog called Jersey Pines Book Promotions. I am willing to proof read / copy edit / review your books, host guest blogs, blog tours, and giveaways. Please contact me if interested.